Leadership

Rita has made it her mission to inspire her staff to bring out the best in themselves and others. As a result, United Hebrew has one of the lowest staff turnover rates in New York State and is able to provide a consistency of care that is unparalleled. Creating a compassionate environment where people want to work in turn creates a nurturing environment where people want to live. She has made United Hebrew a valuable community resource for information and services on eldercare and aging.

Rita joined United Hebrew in 1976. She was named Chief Executive Officer in 1994, and in 2007, assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. She has received numerous awards for her work, including a Leadership Award of the American Jewish Congress, a Distinguished Leadership Award from the American College of Healthcare Administrators, The Brother Arthur A. Loftus Award for Outstanding Achievement from Iona College and the Westchester County Golden Harvest Jim Curran Leadership Award, which recognizes service and leadership in enhancing the quality of life for the elderly. Rita served as the first woman president of the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, and was named by the group as both a Woman of Excellence and Corporate Professional of the Year. Rita serves as co-chair for the Westchester County Association’s Healthcare Advisory Board, and is a member and fellow of the American College of Health Care Administrators and a Licensed New York State Nursing Home Administrator. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Iona College.

As chief financial officer, Christina Villanueva oversees the accounting and financial management function at United Hebrew. She sees her role as critical to keeping the organization financially sound in order to maintain the highest standards of care for the 1000 individuals served by United Hebrew’s campus of comprehensive care on a daily basis. She has worked in long-term care facilities for over 23 years and enjoys her finance in healthcare career niche because of the population she serves, and the genuine team spirit, camaraderie, and supportive atmosphere she experiences at United Hebrew. Christina holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Baruch College.

 Passionate about caring for the elderly, John Zeiss ensures the smooth running of the skilled nursing facility by overseeing facilities, social work, medical records, dietary services, security, recreation, and more. In addition, he is directly responsible for United Hebrew’s quality improvement initiatives, which ensure that our nursing home residents receive the best possible care. An industry veteran for more than 30 years, John has always worked closely with senior populations, which he enjoys tremendously. Most recently, he served as the administrator of a 700-bed nonprofit nursing home in Manhattan. His expertise spans healthcare leadership, clinical services, regulatory compliance, strategic planning and budgeting, quality management initiatives, and facility operations. John says the most rewarding part of his job is to see residents who are comfortable, happy, well-cared for, and living their lives with purpose. A resident of New Rochelle since 1985, John holds a bachelor’s degree from Baruch College and is a licensed nursing home administrator.